How to make sure your tire pressure is just right

Having the correct tire pressure is extremely important for getting the most life out of your tires, and for your safety. Cars.com's Matt Schmitz provides tips to keep your tires correctly and safely inflated.

Don’t rely on your car’s tire pressure monitoring sensor — and certainly not the old kick-the-tires test — to tell you when it’s time to add air.

To check your tire’s pressure, pick up a gauge at any auto parts store. Pop the cap, press the gauge onto the valve stem and get a reading of your tire’s current pressure. Then, add or subtract air as necessary.

• Know your specs: It’s a common misconception that the correct tire pressure is listed on the sidewall of the tire; that figure is actually the maximum pressure the tire can handle and it’s waaay higher than the pressure you should be using.

Newer cars list the tire pressure on the driver-side doorframe, or you can check your owner’s manual.

• Know which is which: Cars have at least three separate pressure ratings listed: One for the front, one for the rear and one for the spare (if your car has one). Heed those recommendations.

Follow these tips, and you can rest assured that your tire-pressure game will be airtight.